(Macau, 9 August 2012) – Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, S.A. ("SJM") awarded scholarships to 41 children of staff today, including new scholarships for 10 recipients of Year 2012 and renewal of scholarships for 31 recipients of past years.  SJM directors and management celebrated this happy occasion with the award-winning students and families at the SJM Scholarship presentation ceremony held in Kam Pek Community Centre.

Established in 2005, the SJM Scholarship programme awards 10 scholarships each year to children of staff, who are each awarded MOP20,000 per year until they finish their university studies. Ten outstanding students were selected for Year 2012 by the SJM Scholarship Selection Committee – Lei Hio Lam, Che Mei Ian, Ian Pui Kuan, Leong Ka Kun, Leong Im Ian, Lam Kuan Cheong, Leong On U, Wan Chi Fong, Tse Wai Fong and Leong Man Ieng.  In addition, two applicants who were not on this awardees list were each awarded MOP10,000 as a token of encouragement for their good performance. The said awards were presented to the students by Dr. Ambrose So, Chief Executive Officer of SJM Holdings Limited and Chairman of the SJM Scholarship Selection Committee.

The ceremony also witnessed the renewal and presentation of SJM Scholarships to 31 recipients of past years who were each awarded MOP20,000.  Among them, Chu Ka Pou and Wong Wang Wai were named the best performing students for the academic year 2011-2012, and were each given an extra award of MOP3,000.  Ms. Angela Leong, Managing Director of SJM and Vice-chairman of the SJM Scholarship Selection Committee, Mr. Louis Ng, Director and Chief Operating Officer of SJM and Dr. Rui Cunha, Director of SJM presented the awards to the students.

Dr. Ambrose So, during his speech today, renewed the promise of SJM to society:  "As a company with roots in Macau that can be traced back 50 years, SJM will continue its tradition of nurturing talent for Macau, according to the principles of Dr. Stanley Ho."  Dr. So concluded by encouraging the young people to pursue life-long learning:  "As the ancient Chinese saying goes, 'A journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one's feet'.  With hard work and perseverance, you can make it, and the knowledge and experience you accumulate today are assets to society in future.  Just as at an Olympics venue, you are not only competing to be the strongest or fastest, you are also demonstrating dedication and fair play as well as building friendship and harmony.  The entire community will benefit if you put this Olympic Spirit to practice."

Lei Hio Lam, on behalf of the recipients, thanked SJM for the scholarships, which were great honour and encouragement to them. She together with the other scholarship recipients pledged to continue their hard work and reinforce their passion for study, while taking to heart the guidance and advice of teachers, and become an asset to society in future.

The SJM Scholarship programme has awarded scholarships to 79 students since established in 2005, of whom 38 have graduated.  Some of the graduates have initiated the founding of an alumni society, which aims to foster friendships and to work closely for the benefit of the community.  Kuok Sin Teng, on behalf of the organizing committee, reported on the progress of setting up the alumni society at today's ceremony, and invited all SJM Scholarship recipients to join this big family.

The SJM Scholarship programme awards 10 scholarships each year to children of staff who are each awarded MOP20,000 per year until they finish their undergraduate studies (up to five years).  Children of staff of SJM and STDM who are first-year undergraduate students are eligible for application.  The scholarship is renewed every year upon assessment of the recipient's academic results by the SJM Scholarship Selection Committee.

In addition to offering scholarships for children of staff, SJM has also set up scholarships for various institutions and universities and sponsored for their educational activities.  SJM also sponsors the full school fees of staff to further their studies at Macau Millennium College.